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At random: The late Capt. Don Ulmer, USN SS (Ret.), and noted submarine author, began his military career by enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1947 and in 1949 while serving as an electrical technician E-4 aboard the submarine USS Clamagore, he was transferred to the Naval Academy. When he asked his commanding officer why he was being sent to Annapolis, the skipper replied, "I don't think you're smart enough to make E-5 and I need the bunk space." Ulmer graduated in 1954 and in 1967 returned to command Clamagore, possibly the only officer to command a U.S. warship having served on it as an enlisted man.

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Gil

Posted 2026-03-27 10:09 AM (#106006)

Master and Commander

Posts: 1737

Location: SoCal

Subject: Rear Admiral Fluckey

I've been watching reruns of the series Hell Below on the WWII exploits of this man. I just knew bits and pieces of the train detonation story. What an incredible story, and what an incredible man. Twelve war patrols, and then retires to eventually run an orphanage in Portugal. When I'd see the SSN-596 at Pearl I never had any idea of the Barb's legacy.

geno

Posted 2026-03-28 3:14 PM (#106008 - in reply to #106006)

Old Salt

Posts: 317

Location: Vista, Ca.

Subject: RE: Rear Admiral Fluckey

Being a lead torpedoman on the Barb from '76 to '80, I can say that Adm Flucky and the previous Barb waa never a topic of our conversations. We did have a replica of his battle flag in the wardroom but that was pretty much it. When I was on Barb we were in San Diego except when we were not. Spent time on WestPac, up north in Canada shooting weapons in the cold and of course lauching the first successful Tomahawk off the coast of San Caleminte. I have hear however that Barb was hated when she was in Pearl. From what I heard when Fluckey was ComSubPac, Barb was his flag ship so shw was wielded to the pier. People said if she went too sea she left at midnight was was back at 0100, just as liberty expired.

PaulR

Posted 2026-03-29 5:43 AM (#106009 - in reply to #106006)

Master and Commander

Posts: 1306

Location: Hopewell Junction NY

Subject: RE: Rear Admiral Fluckey

Met the Admiral and his wife and engaged in conversation with both. Received and personal inscription to myself and my wife in my copy of his book, Thunder Below.

People I know, who have had contact with him for extended periods of time, speak very highly of him and his wife.

HAND SALUTE ADMIRAL.

Gil

Posted 2026-03-29 10:53 AM (#106010 - in reply to #106006)

Master and Commander

Posts: 1737

Location: SoCal

Subject: RE: Rear Admiral Fluckey

Geno,

I don't remember from '67-'68 the Barb having a bad reputation. Only three boats I remember the big kids talking about a lot about were the Halibut, Queenfish, and the Guardfish. The Halibut because nobody knew what was in the forward area, the Queenfish because then it was always breaking down, and the Guardfish because it ran aground entering Pearl.

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